Escape to a secret garden in the winter sun in Bodrum

No longer only the domain of the super-rich, Turkish resort Bodrum hopes to soon rival the French Riviera.

Bodrum is experiencing a tourism boom thanks in part to its nightlife (Picture: Benjamin Eagle)

The scent of glamour and money is as strong as the sea air in Bodrum, a port town on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey.

Although its blue waters are often filled with superyachts belonging to the likes of Roman Abramovich and Bill Gates , the biggest sign of the town’s growth is its ever-expanding nightlife.

Halikarnas, which has just reopened after a multimillion-dollar makeover, is currently the hottest ticket in town.

The venue, which has a capacity of 5,000 and a £10 entry fee, is filled mostly with men who neck cocktails while throwing shapes on the amphitheatre-style dance floor.

Tonight’s guests are festival favourites The Cuban Brothers but my eyes are on the coast of Kos in the background. Rumour has it that owner Süleyman Demir ‘accidentally’ beams laser lights advertising his club nights on to the Greek island.

In the recent revamp, Halikarnas, which opened in 1979, added a secret garden area, designed by Jade Jagger . Paths across the garden, which features a gold booth and is illuminated by candles at night, are formed out of pink and grey tiles.

More changes are due to happen in Bodrum in the next couple of years, with a Four Seasons Resort and a Mandarin Oriental both set to open.

Demir is also building a VIP yacht facility and shore club on the harbour alongside Halikarnas, which will also be designed by Jagger.

Like many locals, he believes the town may soon be giving the south of France a run for its money but, although I’m impressed by the party vibe and the efforts being channelled into its expansion, I suspect the Côte d’Azur is safe for now.

‘Most of the waiters in St Tropez wear Rolex watches,’ says Demir. ‘Our waiters are wearing Sekonda, so we still have a long way to go.’

Tamara flew from Gatwick to Bodrum Milas with Pegasus. She stayed at the Ramada Resort Bodrum. Doubles start at €160. www.ramadaresortbodrum.com